Cyclone Hudhud: Andhra Pradesh's coastal districts on high alert

Hyderabad: Collectors of all districts along the Bay of Bengal coast in Andhra Pradesh have been put on high alert in view of the threat of cyclone 'Hudhud'.

The cyclonic storm is expected to cross the Bay of Bengal coast on October 12 between Visakhapatnam in AP and Gopalpur in Odisha. AP Chief Secretary I Y R Krishna Rao held a video-conference today with Collectors of coastal districts and reviewed the preparedness.

He asked the Collectors to take all steps to prevent loss of lives and also ensure that damage to properties, if any, was the least. "Open relief camps wherever needed and move people from vulnerable areas to safety. Keep essential commodities ready for the evacuees," he told the Collectors.

He also directed them to submit reports on the latest situation regularly. Meanwhile, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu put off his scheduled visit to Srikakulam district tomorrow where was supposed to take part in a 'Janmabhoomi' programme.

Srikakulam Collector Gaurav Uppal cancelled leaves of all government staff and put them on high alert as the district borders Odisha. During cyclone Phailin on October 13 last year, AP's Srikakulam district bore the brunt along with Odisha.